Aiming for Excellence: Indian American Nurses Association of Greater Houston

By Anumol Thomas, DNP, FNP-C, CCRN, TTS

The Indian American Nurses Association of Greater Houston is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit, with the primary goal of uniting all nurses of Indian heritage. We facilitate professional growth and pursue unique professional, social and cultural needs of our members. Through networking and collaboration, IANAGH connects professional nurses and nursing students of Indian origin or heritage to create a community of excellence in nursing practice and health care and to optimize the contribution of Indian nurses to the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities in the Houston area.

Expanding Our Vision

The history of professional Indian nursing in the United States began with the migration of nurses in early 1970's. Those who migrated during this period had to overcome a multitude of challenges and cross many unseen barriers in starting their new life in this land of opportunities. Many early immigrant nurses sacrificed their professional aspirations and goals for their family. But they rose to the forefront through hard work, perseverance, dedication and higher education.

Today Indian American nurses are an integral part of the US health care system. They serve in diverse arenas from bedside to boardroom, academia to industry, entrepreneurship to politics, impacting the ever-changing health care landscape.

The need for an Indian Nurses Association arose when a large number of Indian nurses continued to migrate to this country from the 1970s to 1990s. Visionary leaders came forward like Mary Roy, Mary Abraham, Leela Thayil, Saramma Jacob, Mariamma Thomas, Claramma Mathews, Mary Thomas and few others. IANAGH was formed in 1994.

From the Texas arena, our association leaders were instrumental in forming the National Association of Indian Nurses of America in 2006, and we hosted the inauguration of NAINA here in Houston in May 2007 during the presidency of Mary Thomas. We are proud to say that Dr. Omana Simom from Texas served as the NAINA president from 2009-2010, and Texan Accamma Kallel was the president from 2017-2020, taking this organization to the next level.

IANAGH’s 25th anniversary was celebrated in 2019 and received the best chapter Excellence Award from NAINA in 2020.

Collaborating for Texans

IANAGH’s community outreach programs and educational programs are integral to our work, and have demonstrated excellence at the local, state and national level. Because our members share common values and a common destination, we can arrive at the destination quicker and easier as we are lifted up by the energy and enthusiasm of one another.

Every year IANAGH participates in American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, Go Red day and raises thousands of dollars to support AHA activities. We volunteer to teach alcohol and drug prevention awareness at Houston public schools to empower the next generation of adults for the community. With the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, we raised community awareness through a bone marrow, blood and organ swab drive. IANAGH members also organized the Health Fair on Annual Flu Vaccine program with the Malayalee Association of Greater Houston.

For the past 10 years, our members joined the Life and Soul health fair put on by the Love to Share Foundation of America, where they taught CPR, stroke education, diabetic education and cancer prevention. And for the last 15 years, we’ve helped the Star of Hope shelter program by donating blankets, toys and clothes and conducting a Christmas program with Indian dance, Christmas carols and a hearty meal.

In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our members volunteered for relief efforts through Secondmile.org and conducted educational programs through radio shows, webinars and Facebook lives, including “Addressing Domestic Violence During COVID -19” with a Fort Bend County Judge and other esteemed officers. They also volunteered to provide vaccinations through Fort Bend County Health and Human Services.

Improving the World

IANAGH’s mission did not stop in Texas but also extended to other states and countries. IANAGH contributed $25,000 to start a Clinic in Haiti, to sustain primary care and health education and conducted a medical mission trip in collaboration with United Light of Hope  and the National Association of Indian Nurses in America.

To fight the COVID-19 pandemic nationwide, our members donated financial contributions to the New York and New Jersey chapters. Our members made thousands of masks with CDC criteria and distributed them to the community during the pandemic season. At the same time, we provided thousands of N95 masks to VA Hospital and Park Manor Nursing Home.

Our members find every opportunity to help, such as through Medical Bridges for packing medical supplies to send to underdeveloped countries. By collaborating with local churches and temples, we provide drug and Alcohol prevention programs, cancer prevention and other health educational programs.

When we hear about a pressing need in the community, our members rise to the challenge with extended and serving hands. We are continuing the journey with more hope and expectations to do the best for the community. We believe professional dedication and kindness will lead IANAGH to new levels of excellence, and we hope other groups in Texas and the United States will join us!